Being a city boy, I was pretty much raised to assume that whatever’s between Denver and Chicago is tractor and trailer park country. While a recent train trip through that part of the country did feature its share rough spots, I found a lot of beauty in that vast section of the country as well. Iowa was especially charming, with its rolling green hills and postcard-pretty small towns. But I was struck by the vibrancy and youth in cities like Des Moines and Iowa City as well.

That’s where this contemporary ode to the state came from. Made with a hand-cut stencil, it gives a nod to Iowa’s agricultural foundation with a vibrant green color, and patterns reminiscent of neat rows of corn. But the geometric layout of the lettering suggests a progressive new crop of young Iowans who are ready to lead the state to increased relevance.